The Companion January (Home Instead newsletter)

Home Instead

York & Ryedale newsletter

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Check out our website: www.caregiver support.co.uk

January 2018

Home Instead York & Ryedale awarded ‘Best Employer in Care’ for second year We’re delighted to announce that we have officially been recognised as “Best Employer in Care” for the second consecutive year.

The award of 5 Star Employer is based on the feedback from thousands of our CAREGivers and is only awarded to the top 10 per cent of 120 organisations which enter.

Ending a hugely successful year on a high, we’re ALSO thrilled to be crowned as the UK’s NUMBER ONE franchise in the Elite Franchise 100.

The Elite Franchise 100 is a brand new annual league table that

celebrates the greatest franchises the UK has to offer.

The ‘power list’ is ranked by a panel of experienced judges and judged on core criteria including growth, support, innovation, network size and future plans.

We are immensely proud to be recognised as a Best Employer in Care and also as the UK’s number one franchise. It proves that we are succeeding in our mission to become an employer of choice in the UK and that our model of person centred home care really works, not only for our clients but for our CAREGivers too.

Big congratulations to Deborah and Julie, who last month celebrated 3 years with Home Instead York & Ryedale.

Both are fantastic CAREGivers, and we are looking forward to having them on the team for many more years to come!

Police launch new awareness campaign – Freeze on Fraud North Yorkshire Police has launched a new awareness campaign to help you avoid becoming a victim of fraud during the January sales and beyond.

“Freeze on Fraud” is designed to reach a whole range of residents, young and old alike, by stressing the very real dangers of being actively targeted by fraudsters on a daily basis.

company and adds an additional layer of security to online transactions with signedup retailers.

10) Check receipts against bank statements regularly. If you find an unfamiliar transaction contact your bank or card company immediately.

11) Shred or completely destroy all documents which contain personal details and don’t keep such documents in your car or handbag.

16 brrrrrrrrilliant tips to help put a Freeze on Fraud 1) Whether it’s at the online checkout, trades people at your door or a letter or phone call you have received, it’s always vital to check the legitimacy of the company or the individual you are dealing with. Don’t ever be afraid to ask questions and to get them to prove their credentials. If they are genuine they will provide the necessary identification and information. If you are not satisfied it’s best to report your concerns to the police.

2) Crucially, always keep at the forefront of your mind not to give away your personal information no matter what. This includes your name, home address, bank details, email address or phone number.

3) Many frauds start with a phishing email.

Remember that banks and financial institutions will not send you an email asking you to click on a link and confirm your bank details. Do not trust such emails, even if they look genuine. You can always call your bank using the phone number on a genuine piece of correspondence, website (typed directly into the address bar) or the phone book to check if you’re not sure.

4) Please make sure your computer has upto-date anti-virus software and a firewall installed. Ensure your browser is set to the highest level of security notification and monitoring to prevent malware issues and computer crimes.

5) Be extremely wary of post, phone calls or emails offering business deals out of the

Don’t be rushed into making a decision you are not comfortable with.

Fraudsters use pressure to force you to make an unwise decision. blue. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always question it.

6) Always shield your PIN and be vigilant at cash machines and checkouts. Don’t ever send it over the internet or disclose it to anyone. Your bank or the police will never phone or email you to ask you to disclose it.

7) Shop only on secure websites. Before submitting card details, look for a padlock or an unbroken key symbol on your web browser. Also check that the internet browser address changes from ‘http’ to https’ to indicate you have a secure connection.

8) When you are talking to people on social media, chat rooms or dating sites, make sure you know who it is you are talking to and never ever pass on personal or financial information to them online.

9) Sign-up to Verified by Visa or MasterCard Secure Code whenever you are given the option while shopping online. This involves you registering a password with your card

12) When buying tickets online, check with the venue to find out when they are being released and sent out. Also check that you know the geographic address of the website company and that they have a working landline phone number.

Make sure there is a refund policy in case something goes wrong.

13) When dealing with trades people never hand over a cash deposit. Be wary of special offers or warnings about your home and don’t agree to a trader starting any work straight away. Take time to consult with someone you trust for a second opinion, and speak to friends, family or neighbours before making any decision.

14) Don’t be rushed into making a decision you are not comfortable with. Fraudsters use pressure to force you to make an unwise decision. This could be by saying it is a limited time offer or that money is needed due to an emergency. Be confident to tell people that you require time to think over a decision and then discuss it with people you trust.

15) Get up-to-date. Many national media outlets often broadcast fraud trends and information and advice. Check out BBC Radio 4’s “You and Yours” consumer affairs and Finance programmes.

The Guardian and Telegraph online Finance and Technology sections are also very useful sources of information surrounding fraud.

16) Scammers are quick to identify new ways of conning people out of their money.

You must report all incidents of fraud to Action Fraud UK and not to the police.

Call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report fraud online at www.actionfraud.police.uk For more information and crime prevention advice regarding fraud, please go to the North Yorkshire Police website www.northyorkshire.police.uk/freezeonfraud

The Art of Mindfulness Mindfulness draws on the ancient practice of meditation by training people to become more aware of the present moment while not getting caught up with any thoughts or worries at the back of the mind. Paying more attention to the present moment, to our own thoughts and feelings and to the world around us – can improve our mental wellbeing, help us enjoy life more and understand ourselves better.

Some people call this awareness “mindfulness”. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.

The first steps to becoming more mindful is to remind yourself to take notice of your thoughts, feelings, body sensations and the world around. To find out a bit more you can visit www.bemindful.co.uk for an online mindfulness course and details of mindfulness teachers in York.

Congratulations Chrissie on receiving your Care Certificate.

Combatting loneliness For older people, Sundays can feel the loneliest day of the week, research suggests. Whereas once the kitchen might have been a thriving hub of activity with a roast cooking and children running around, family may have grown up or moved away, leaving your clients feeling more isolated.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

We’ve partnered with the Oddfellows friendship society to offer some advice for keeping loneliness at bay – on a Sunday or indeed any day.

Stay in touch with friends and family: Try to visit friends and family regularly.

Although staying in touch in person is important, phone calls, social media and e-mail can keep you connected, too. If you’re not yet comfortable with computers, ask a young relative, friend or neighbour to help you.

Volunteer in your community: Helping others is a fantastic way to give something back to the community and remind

CAREGiver meeting dates for 2018 All CAREGivers welcome

February 20th (Tuesday) 1.30pm-2.30pm April 20th (Friday) 10.30am-11.30am June TBC TBC August 16th (Thursday) 1.30pm-2.30pm October 24th (Wednesday) 5.00pm-6.00pm December 17th (Monday) 10.30am-11.30am

New CAREGiver Meetings including Basic Life Support yourself that even later in life, you, too, have something to offer.

Visit a senior centre: Many local centres have fun and engaging activities for older people to participate in - this is a great way to make new friends, get out of the house, and do something fun!

Join a group: Your local library is a good resource that may have details of local groups available. Also, your local council can give you details of courses or groups that you may be interested in trying.

Join a gym or fitness centre: This is a great way to stay physically fit and engage with others.

Staying socially active and maintaining your relationships are both important parts of healthy ageing. Reach out to your loved ones - neighbours, friends, family members - and stay as vibrant, active, and social as you’ve always been.

Live Life Well

(for all new CAREGivers who have started since the preceding NCG meeting) January 26th (Friday) 10.30am-11.30am February 20th (Tuesday) 10.30am-11.30am March 19th (Monday) 1.30pm-2.30pm April 18th (Wednesday) 10.30am-11.30am May 17th (Thursday) 1.30pm-2.30pm June 29th (Friday) 10.30am-11.30am July 17th (Tuesday) 1.30pm-2.30pm August 20th (Monday) 10.30am-11.30am September 19th (Wednesday) 1.30pm-2.30pm October 25th (Thursday) 10.30am-11.30am November 23rd (Friday) 1.30pm-2.30pm December 18th (Tuesday) 10.30am-11.30am The above meetings will take place at the York office, in the downstairs training room.

Times and dates are subject to change; all CAREGivers will be notified in advance.

Andy’s Advice

At Home Instead we pride ourselves on being the best and being professional.

Please remember when visiting your clients to be presentable. Skirts or trousers, but nothing too casual such as jogging bottoms, tops with big logos or ripped jeans. Avoid having very long nails and if possible tie your hair back during visits. Flat shoes are generally a good choice. Please ensure that your shoes are not open-toe for health and safety reasons. Don’t take your shoes off in a client’s home in case you injure yourself. Shoe covers are available in the office.

Here are 10 things you can do to look after your heart 1. Give up smoking – Quitting is the single best thing you can do for your heart health.

2. Get active – Getting and staying active can reduce your risk of developing heart disease and is a great mood booster and stress buster.

3. Manage your weight – Stick to a healthy, balanced diet low in fat and sugar, with plenty of fruit and vegetables.

4. Eat more fibre – Eat plenty of fibre to help lower your risk of heart disease.

5. Cut down on saturated fat – Eating too many foods that are high in saturated fat can raise the level of cholesterol and increases your risk of heart disease.

6. Get your 5 a Day – Eat at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables a day.

7. Cut down on salt – Avoid using salt at the table and try adding less to your cooking.

8. Eat fish – Eat fish at least twice a week, including a portion of oily fish which can help protect against heart disease.

9. Drink less alcohol – Try to keep to the recommended daily alcohol limits to reduce the risk of serious problems with your health.

10. Read the food label – See how many calories and how much fat, salt and sugar products contain to help you make healthier choices.

We would like to wish you all a Happy & Prosperous 2018!

Refer a friend to become a CAREGiver and you could earn £250!

Receive £50 for each referral that signs a contract and a further £200 when they complete 200 hours of service or six months of employment.

All you need to do, is tell the person you are referring to mention your name when asked how they heard of Home Instead Senior Care York! #youcancare

DID YOU KNOW?

Over the last 12 months we have conducted more than 500 Quality Assurance/Service Review visits

Home Instead Senior Care 10 Clifton Moor Business Village James Nicolson Link, Clifton Moor York YO30 4XG Telephone: 01904 690884 Email: info@hiscyork.co.uk Web: www.homeinstead.co.uk/york

www.facebook.com/homeinsteadyork @homeinsteadyork www.instagram.com/homeinsteadyork www.youtube.com/YorkHomeInstead

Safe ■ Effective ■ Caring ■ Responsive ■ Well-Led “Each Home Instead Senior Care® franchise office is independently owned and operated.”